Where Do I Find Articles of Incorporation in Florida?

by Gail Sessoms; Updated September 26, 2017

Although you can request a copy of articles of incorporation from an individual corporation, Florida maintains copies of the documents in its public records collections. An individual or group who wants to form and register a corporation in Florida files the articles of incorporation with the Division of Corporations, an office of Florida’s Department of State. Florida provides access to copies of the documents on its website, and assists with requests.

Tips

Florida businesses that are not corporations have different organizing documents, such as the articles of organization for a limited liability company.

Online Corporation Search

The “Document Searches” page, located on Florida’s Division of Corporations website, provides links to its different search engines.

Search for the corporation to view a copy of its articles of incorporation, if available online. For instance, you can search by corporation name, registered agent name, officer name, document number or employer identification number.

Click on the link for the search type you want to use and enter the requested information in the search window to generate a list of exact and similar items. In addition to corporation names, the search lists generated include limited liability companies, limited partnerships and trademarks.

Locating the Document Online

Gather as much information as you can find before performing a search, especially if you are unsure of the exact corporation name. Because the search generates multiple items, knowing the address can help to identify the correct articles is incorporation copy.

The information included in the search results varies with the search type:

A search by corporation name generates a list of names with document numbers and business status, such as active and inactive.

A search by registered agent or officer generates a list that includes entity names and numbers.

A trademark search list includes document number and status.

Click on a link in the list generated and scroll to the bottom of the record to view the available documents. If documents are listed, look for the articles of incorporation and click the link to open to document to view, save and print.

Contact the Division

If you are unable to locate a copy of the articles of incorporation online, contact the Florida Division of Corporations for assistance. .

Call 850-245-6052 for questions about for-profit and nonprofit articles of incorporation.

You also may send an email requesting information and assistance locating articles of incorporation.

Warnings

If you send an email request, your email address becomes public record under Florida law and can be released as part of a request for public records.

Public Records and Articles of Incorporation

The articles of incorporation document describes the legal structure of the business and provides for its governance, such as a board of directors. Florida law, which requires a corporation to operate within the parameters of its organizing document, makes the articles of incorporation publicly available to protect consumers and to provide for regulation of corporations in the state. Corporations are required to report certain changes, such as the registered agent authorized to accept official notices on behalf of the corporation. Corporations also must vote on amendments to the articles of incorporation and file articles of amendment with the Division of Corporations.

References

About the Author

Gail Sessoms, a grant writer and nonprofit consultant, writes about nonprofit, small business and personal finance issues. She volunteers as a court-appointed child advocate, has a background in social services and writes about issues important to families. Sessoms holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies.

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Sessoms, Gail. "Where Do I Find Articles of Incorporation in Florida?" Bizfluent, https://bizfluent.com/about-7271506-do-articles-incorporation-florida-.html. 26 September 2017.

Sessoms, Gail. (2017, September 26). Where Do I Find Articles of Incorporation in Florida? Bizfluent. Retrieved from https://bizfluent.com/about-7271506-do-articles-incorporation-florida-.html

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